‘Kevin Hart: What Now?’ a victory lap for the stand-up star

By Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

Published 6:24 am, Thursday, October 13, 2016

Photo: Chris Pizzello, INVL / Associated Press

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

FILE - In this April 13, 2016 file photo, Kevin Hart, star of the upcoming film "What Now?," addresses the audience during the Universal Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2016 in Las Vegas. Hart has signed a deal with Motown Records to release an album under his rapper alter-ego, Chocolate Droppa, this fall. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) less

FILE - In this April 13, 2016 file photo, Kevin Hart, star of the upcoming film "What Now?," addresses the audience during the Universal Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2016 in Las Vegas. Hart has signed a ... more

Photo: Chris Pizzello, INVL / Associated Press

‘Kevin Hart: What Now?’ a victory lap for the stand-up star

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

“Kevin Hart: What Now?” is a victory lap of a comedy film, taken by a star whose talent continues to propel his career but doesn’t seem particularly hungry.

The film is frequently very funny. It is also self-indulgent, overproduced and lacking in the kind of momentum and reason-to-be that mark the most enduring film releases of the genre. The lack of urgency is right there in the title. What now? Guess I better release a stand-up-comedy-movie in theaters …

The feature was shot last year at Lincoln Financial Field, in Hart’s hometown of Philadelphia. It was a record crowd — reportedly the first time a comedian headlined a sold-out football stadium — which gives the event a celebratory vibe. But the size also creates a psychological distance between the viewer and Hart, which likely wouldn’t exist in a smaller venue.

Hart, whose comedy continues to come from an earnest place, wants fans to get their money worth. He tries to add to the value of the film with a hit-and-miss James Bond spoof, an intro that is saved by strong cameos from Halle Barry and Don Cheadle.

That sets the tone for a night of unnecessary production values. Once he’s on stage, Hart performs in front of an enormous video screen, with literal visuals and sound effects to accompany his longer stories, all adding nothing to the comedy. The direction and editing is clumsy, developing little intimacy or connection with the man on stage.

Ariana Grande Took To Twitter To Share Emotional Statement About The Las Vegas Attack And More NewsMarieClaire

What’s left after that is Hart’s material, and it’s mostly very good. The star has weathered his meteoric success better than many in his position, finding new veins of comedy as his life changes for the better. A running joke about the lack of toughness of his private-school kids — in contrast to his Philly upbringing — is reminiscent of Eddie Murphy’s best work in “Delirious,” the 1983 concert film made close to the beginning of Murphy’s ascent.

Hart’s riff on going to the bathroom at airports, with fans waiting outside to take his photo, is another high point. Even the weaker material (including a too-long sequence questioning his loyalty to his girlfriend if she suffered a debilitating accident) is saved by Hart’s willingness to challenge political correctness; always easier to digest because he portrays himself as the biggest fool in the room.

If you missed Hart’s 2015-2016 tour, this is your chance to catch the highlights. But “What Now?” never feels like an important moment in time, like “Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip” or one of Chris Rock’s better specials.

More Information

Kevin Hart: What Now?

★★

Quick take: An overdone comedy spectacle

Most fans will leave the theater happy. But it’s hard to imagine anyone quoting this special next month, much less in 30 years.